Lifting post coil conversion.

[Strange Rover]

So, my classic rangie has been converted from air suspension to coils long ago by the previous owner. The components look like they're Bilstein based on them being blue and yellow but I really don't know for sure. Not that it matters. I tried to order a 2 inch Terrafirma lift online and after some exchange with the sales rep VIA email, he says I need to buy heavy duty upper shock towers, rear dislocation cones and some heavy duty spring retainers. I feel stupid but I had NO idea that they would be different. I was under the assumption that a coil spring conversion kit would make your RRC mechanically the same as one of the earlier models that came stock with regular coils/shocks.

Now.. I ask.. is there any valid or serious reason the shock absorbers will not work in the stock mounting location (where they are currently) or is he just blowing smoke at me trying to sell more parts? They're mounted just outside the coil springs where as normally on a coil sprung Rover they would apparently be mounted inside the springs. So the mounting location is slightly different on a previously-air-sprung vehicle like mine but the action will be the same and I doubt the length of operation is really much different, either. So why do I have to buy these (likely expensive) new shock towers when I already have what appears to be a perfectly fine mounting location for them?

Also, why do I need rear dislocation cones for these new springs when I haven't needed them for my current springs? Aside from the physical length of the spring and probably spring rate, they will be the same. Mounted the same way, etc. If anything, wouldn't the longer springs be LESS likely to become dislocated than the current shorter, worn out ones? Which leads me to the spring retainers... Would I not already HAVE spring retainers? I off road mine pretty heavily and I'm sure if the springs weren't already being retained by something, they'd have fallen out long ago.

I'm a bit confused... Suspension work isn't my forte so perhaps one of you Rover veterans can explain this to me a little better than the representative could. I'm not sure English was his first language, the emails weren't well written. I want to make sure my suspension is put together properly for obvious reasons but I also don't want to be throwing away money when I don't need to. This truck was cheap and I'm trying to keep it that way, at least as cheap as a Rover can be.

Thanks much.

[punkinracer]

I never put those in when I lifted my '93 LWB. The only real difference will be the front shocks will be mounted out board of the springs, as the previous airbags took up all the space so they were moved out in those truck. Now I'm not too sure if the shocks are the same length etc as the earlier in board shock trucks, I can't remember. I've wheeled my truck pretty hard with Rovertym 4" springs and never had a shock problem with them mounted on the outside. Dislocation cones are likely not needed in your case as the rest of the suspension would have to twist more to get the rears to pop out. Just fitted +2 terraferma's in a buddies truck, kept the rest stock except for the shocks, worked out just fine without all the extra bit you mentioned.

Hope this helps you out,
Pat

[franko]

Who are you ordering from?? Did you try Justin at Lucky8?
Or even try westshore spring see if they can order something up for ya.
They ordered my OME HD lift for my disco.

[Strange Rover]

I never put those in when I lifted my '93 LWB. The only real difference will be the front shocks will be mounted out board of the springs, as the previous airbags took up all the space so they were moved out in those truck. Now I'm not too sure if the shocks are the same length etc as the earlier in board shock trucks, I can't remember. I've wheeled my truck pretty hard with Rovertym 4" springs and never had a shock problem with them mounted on the outside. Dislocation cones are likely not needed in your case as the rest of the suspension would have to twist more to get the rears to pop out. Just fitted +2 terraferma's in a buddies truck, kept the rest stock except for the shocks, worked out just fine without all the extra bit you mentioned.

Hope this helps you out,
Pat

Thanks man, I figured maybe the guy just didn't really know any better but that company specializes in Rover stuff so I sort of assumed that he would know best. Or at least better than I do. On the other hand, I'm not an idiot either haha. My current suspension setup is working just fine off road so I don't see why simply getting 2 inch longer springs and 2 inch longer shocks would magically require all this extra stuff. I can understand where he's coming from as maybe it's just assumed everyone would do that... but having the shocks mounted outboard of the springs isn't going to ruin anything, I don't think. The way they're mounted might cause them to not be long enough. I guess it's possible but seems odd that my current setup works. I suppose I could always fit the lift in my driveway and find out for myself if he's full of crap. Save myself a couple hundred bucks on these odds and ends that may not be needed at all.

Hearing that you fitted a +2 terrafirma to a friend's truck brings me hope, as that's the exact kit I'm ordering. The +2 pro sport kit with the 2 inch extended shocks.

Oh and Franko, I ordered the kit from Rovers North. They had the best price. It hasn't shipped yet because they don't have the front springs :roll: he said they'll be ready end June. I sort of forgot about Lucky8 because last time I looked at their site, everything seemed to be more expensive. Maybe I was just imagining things, I probably should have at least looked.